Location:

Arusha, Tanzania, United Republic of

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

MayMester Intersession, Summer, Year Round

Program Overview

Program Description:

Our pre-dentistry programme is a great way to get a real insight into dental care. With tough competition for university places, getting good work experience is more important than ever. Learning from highly qualified dentists in a clinical setting will really help your personal statement to stand out to admissions tutors. Spending time working closely alongside a dentist will also help you to decide if a career in dentistry is right for you.

Each of our overseas destinations provides a unique pre-dentistry experience: Throughout our dental placements, our students will be working with experienced dentists who will explain each patient’s case in detail. Our mentors are also very happy to answer any questions that you may have. This is an observational placement (as our students have not yet obtained any clinical experience) but there may be some opportunities to help with hands on tasks, such as taking a mould of a patient’s mouth. Dentistry in Tanzania is mainly restorative (as people do not go to the dentist routinely) therefore patients often require extractions, fillings and root canals. Thailand and Czech Republic also have an emphasis on cosmetic dentistry, such as teeth whitening or implants. All destinations see trauma cases.

Your dentistry experience starts here: Working in a dental practice overseas will help you to gain a deeper understanding of the differences in healthcare around the world. In many of the countries we work with, there will be more cases of decay than in the UK. Many of the government practices we work with are also very underfunded and short staffed, which will provide an interesting contrast to dental facilities back home. As well as getting some fantastic work experience in dentistry, taking part in one of our programmes is a great opportunity to explore an exciting new place. From going on safari in Tanzania to bamboo rafting in Thailand, each destination has plenty to ensure your spare time is unforgettable too! Students who join our pre-dental programme are generally between 16-18 and in year 12 or 13 at school or college, looking to gain this experience before applying for dentistry at university. Gap year students, those studying an undergraduate degree and hoping to apply for dentistry as a postgraduate or those in their pre-clinical years of dentistry also join this programme. Students can travel with us for anything between one and four weeks, or longer. The most popular length of time is two weeks. Our programmes run every week throughout the year, so it is possible to join whenever is most convenient.